What extra nutrients do I get from a prescription prenatal vitamin?


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Prenatal vitamins are a staple of most pregnancy routines, but what’s the difference between over-the-counter and prescription prenatal vitamins? Their ingredients, for one.

Folic Acid

Most prenatal vitamins contain folic acid, which is a key ingredient in the nucleic acid that forms parts of all genetic material. Studies have shown that taking enough folic acid before and during pregnancy can decrease the chance of miscarriage and organ abnormalities like spina bifida and neural tube defects. Over-the-counter prenatal vitamins offer as little as 400 micrograms, but prescription prenatal vitamins like Vitafol Ultra contain one full milligram, so you can ensure you’re definitely getting enough folic acid.

Iron

It’s estimated that 50% of pregnant women experience iron-deficiency anemia, usually during the third trimester, which is when babies begin to store iron for their first six months of life. Taking a quality prenatal vitamin that has enough of the right type of iron can combat this type of anemia. There are many types of iron that can be found in a prenatal vitamin, some of which can cause an upset stomach or digestive issues. Vitafol Fe+ contains an iron complex that stays intact while bypassing the stomach. In this complex, the iron is more readily absorbed, which may help minimize gastric irritation!

Vitamin D

As great as it is to soak up the sun, it’s a good idea to take additional Vitamin D during pregnancy. It’s recommended that all women get at least 600 IU of Vitamin D every day, but Vitamin D is even more important for pregnant women. Vitamin D helps pregnant women maintain the right levels of calcium and phosphorus, which help build babies’ teeth and bones. Many over-the-counter prenatal vitamins have a minimum of 400 IU of Vitamin D, so providers often recommend an additional Vitamin D supplement. Prescription prenatal vitamins from Vitafol offer 1000 IU, so you can skip that extra supplement, Vitafol already has everything you need.

Prescription prenatal vitamins have more of the essential nutrients your body, and your baby, need during pregnancy. You’ll need to call your healthcare provider to get a prescription, and they just might recommend Vitafol! After all, it’s the #1 doctor-recommended prescription prenatal vitamin brand.

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Sources
  • McEvoy, GK. AHFS Drug Information. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. 2007. 1410-7.
  • Committee on Genetics. “Folic Acid for the Prevention of Neural Tube Defects.” Pediatrics. 104(2):325-327. Web. August 1999.
  • “Vitamin D Fact Sheet for Consumers.” National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. April 15, 2016. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-Consumer/
  • Siu, AL. “Screening for Iron Deficiency Anemia and Iron Supplementation in Pregnant Women to Improve Maternal Health and Birth Outcomes: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement.” Annals of Internal Medicine. 163(7):529-37. Web. October 2015.
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